Elijah In The Widow’s House Multiplies Bread (from Hagiographic cycle of detail of ‘Prophet Elijah in the desert’ ) (c.1275 – c.1325) by Orthodox Icons

Elijah In The Widow's House Multiplies Bread (from Hagiographic cycle of detail of 'Prophet Elijah in the desert' ) - Orthodox Icons - c.1275 - c.1325

Artwork Information

TitleElijah In The Widow's House Multiplies Bread (from Hagiographic cycle of detail of 'Prophet Elijah in the desert' )
ArtistOrthodox Icons
Datec.1275 - c.1325
Mediumtempera,wood
Art MovementPskov school of icon painting,Romanesque
Current LocationTretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia

About Elijah In The Widow's House Multiplies Bread (from Hagiographic cycle of detail of 'Prophet Elijah in the desert' )

The artwork titled “Elijah In The Widow’s House Multiplies Bread,” dating from approximately 1275 to 1325, is attributed to the Orthodox Icons and belongs to the Pskov school of icon painting. This piece, created using tempera on wood, is part of the Romanesque art movement and classifies as an icon within the genre of Saints. It is part of a hagiographic cycle detailing “Prophet Elijah in the Desert.” Currently, the artwork is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia.

The artwork depicts a scene from the life of the Prophet Elijah. In the center, Elijah is seen extending his hand towards a woman, identified as the widow, with a young boy seated next to her. The background features a textured, golden backdrop, typical of iconographic representations intended to evoke a spiritual and otherworldly atmosphere. Each character’s simple, yet expressive portrayal conveys the miracle of multiplying bread. The solemn expressions and gestures highlight the significance of divine intervention in daily life, a key theme in hagiographic cycles. The artwork’s tempered hues and delicate use of gold leaf reflect the distinctive style of the Pskov school, renowned for its spiritual depth and stylistic austerity.

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